Creating a culture of care begins by deciding to do something about the culture you are a part of daily. It’s about being intentional. When you are deliberate, you see and predict an outcome that is going to complement your intentionality.
One of my favorite Bible characters in the Old Testament is Joseph. In Genesis 40, Joseph was used by God to illustrate the importance of creating a culture of care while he was in prison. Looking at that trial from a human perspective, Joseph should not have been in that difficult situation. However, from a divine perspective, Joseph was in the right place, at the right time, with the right people, and doing the right thing.
Theologian and author Bruce Ashford says, “To ignore culture is to ignore the cultural institutions that shape people’s lives and that will point people either toward Christ or against Him.”
Creating a culture of care begins by realizing God allows us to be in settings that may not make sense in the moment. But when we look at the situation from God’s perspective, it will make sense in His timing. Being aware of what is happening around us will open opportunities for God to use us as a source of care, compassion, and encouragement for others.
Care at one moment might mean you are going to be a good listener, a person who is more interested in hearing than wanting to be heard. In another moment, care could mean you are there to help someone better understand what he or she may be going through.
We all know that life doesn’t always go the way we want it to go. I heard Dr. Jerry Falwell, Liberty’s founder, say on many occasions: “You are either in a storm of life, have just come out of a storm, or are going into a storm that may be a little uncomfortable.” In the story of Joseph, when he interpreted dreams for two fellow inmates, the Pharoah’s chief butler and baker, life for them certainly did not make sense. But God used Joseph to help them understand what they would be facing in the future.
Creating a culture of care means being available for God to use us. It’s paying attention to your surroundings. It’s very easy to be more focused on what we don’t like instead of realizing God has us where we are and who we are with for His purposes and not ours. There are many examples in the Bible where this is proven true.
You may have heard the illustration of the thermostat and the thermometer. The thermostat changes the temperature (through proper attitudes and actions) in the room. The thermometer just relays the temperature. We should not be instruments to merely reflect the culture around us; we should be taking action to change the circumstances, to influence the world by showing others Christ’s love. The challenge for you and me is to be a person God can use to help create a genuine culture of care. Creating a culture of care provides:
- Hope by seeing the best in others
- Help by being a good listener
- Heart by offering sincere empathy
- Home by establishing a safe and confidential space
Is God trying to use you to create a culture of care? Are you paying attention to what is happening around you? Has God brought a person or situation your way that could be a divine encounter? How can God use you to create a culture of care where you are serving?
Pay attention to what is happening around you. Realize God could be allowing you to interact with someone on purpose. I don’t know about you, but I desire to be a part of creating a culture of care wherever I serve.
Following a 25-year career as chaplain for Flames Football, Dr. Ed Gomes (’76, ’85, ’07) transitioned into a new role last fall as Liberty’s first Director of Faculty and Staff Pastoral Care under the Office of Spiritual Development.
